By Nicole Rashotte Wage talks in South Africa began on Wednesday (July 11), gathering the country’s largest gold miners and unions to discuss an increase in the underground base pay for laborers. The two groups are meeting against the backdrop of a shrinking industry that was once the largest worldwide. The National Union of Mineworkers are setting demands of an increase in base pay of up to 37 percent, while the rival Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union is seeking even more.